What is the scope of service of infrared thermometers?
Measuring electrical equipment
Non-contact infrared thermometers can measure the surface temperature of objects from a safe distance and are an indispensable tool for electrical equipment maintenance work.
Applications in electrical equipment.
The following applications are effective in preventing equipment failures and unexpected power outages:
Connectors - Electrical connections gradually relieve connectors as repeated heating (expansion) and cooling (shrinkage) causes heat, surface fouling, carbon deposits, and corrosion. Non-contact thermometers quickly confirm temperature rises that indicate a serious problem.
Motor - Check that the power connection wires and circuit breaker (or fuse) temperature is consistent to preserve the life of the motor.
Motor Bearings - Check where they occur and repair or replace them regularly before problems cause equipment failure.
Motor Coil Insulation - Extend life by measuring the temperature of the motor coil insulation.
Phase-to-Phase Measurements - Checks for the same temperature between phases of wires and connectors in induction motors, mainframe computers and other equipment.
The windings of the transformer-air cooler can be measured directly with an infrared thermometer to check for excessive temperatures, all hot spots indicate damage to the transformer windings.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies - Identify hotspots in connecting wires in UPS output filters. A cooler spot indicates a possible DC filter line open.
Battery Backup - Check the low voltage battery to make sure it is connected properly. Poor contact with the battery connector can heat up enough to burn the battery mandrel.
Stabilizer - Check for overheating before the stabilizer smokes.
Utilities - Identify hotspots for connectors, wire splices, transformers, and other devices. Some types of optical instruments have a range above 60:1, so almost all objects to be measured are within the range.
